Milk (Hansard, 21 June 2000)

Mr. Gareth Thomas
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to promote the consumption of fresh milk in schools. [125790]

§ Ms Quin
The Government have already taken action via the Intervention Board to draw the attention of schools and local education authorities to the existence of the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme and to simplify its operations. The Intervention Board has also recently issued a questionnaire to all claimant organisations in England and Wales seeking further suggestions for improvements to the administration of the scheme.

Mr. Gareth Thomas
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to assist the promotion of the sale of fresh milk. [125791]

§ Ms Quin
In response to calls from representatives of dairy farmers the Government widened the remit of the Milk Development Council (MDC) to allow it to engage in the generic promotion of milk. The MDC's first marketing campaign for fresh milk, funded jointly by producers and processors, commenced on 19 June.

§ Mr. Todd
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the basis and source of data of the Intervention Board calculations of milk production; and what representations he has received as to their accuracy. [125775]

§ Ms Quin
The monthly, wholesale, butterfat-adjusted, milk production figures calculated by the Intervention Board are based on monthly returns submitted to the Intervention Board by all approved milk purchasers, as required by regulation 28(2) of the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1997, as amended.
188W
The Intervention Board has received a number of representations over time about the accuracy of the milk production figures and, in response to such inquiries, has explained that the figures are subject to amendment and should not be regarded as definitive. It is made clear in the accompanying notes that the figures are issued only as a guide to trends in milk production and for comparison against a calculated milk quota profile. Those using the figures, particularly in reaching commercial decisions relating to milk quota or milk production, are advised to take account of the limitations, which are set out in some detail.